A study on the self-perceptions of parenting for adolescent mothers

This research study examined factors that contribute to the self-perceptions of parenting for adolescent mothers during the 4 to 6 week post partum period. Healthy first time adolescent mothers (n = 126, range: 13 to 19 years of age) completed a demographic form, The Norbeck Social Support Questionnaire (NSSQ), and the What Being the Parent of a New Baby Is Like: Revised Instrument (WPL-R).; These adolescent mothers typically identified their own mother as their primary social support. The more emotional support the adolescent received from her mother, the better was the evaluation of parenting. However, the more tangible support the adolescent received from her mother, the lower was the evaluation of parenting, highlighting the efficacy of independence in self-perceptions of parenting. The father of the newborn was the secondary source of social support, described as not being dependable or knowledgeable in parenting.; Older, more educated adolescent mothers were more positive in self-perceptions of parenting. Late stage adolescent mothers had a greater positive evaluation of their parenting and the newborn was more central in their life. These findings provide empirical evidence that older and younger adolescents are developmentally different and have different needs.; Few adolescent mothers attended childbirth or parenting education classes because they felt this education was geared for adult mothers and did not address their needs or concerns.; Caring for the needs of the newborn brings a new perspective to the mother-daughter relationship. Results suggest that despite conflicts with her mother due to normal adolescent development, adolescent mothers suddenly have much in common with their own mother. The adolescent mother looks to her mother for support and guidance in parenting. The transition from adolescence to adulthood is a time of crisis and is accelerated for these mothers. Normal adolescent peer support is no longer available or knowledgeable regarding the demands of parenting, so these adolescent mothers looked to their own mothers for guidance, support, and role modeling behavior.